I’m going to build a new board and I’m seriously considering using Probox boxes because I like the way the fin bases seat tightly in them. Apparently my FCS fins will fit Probox and it looks easy to convert my Futures to Probox too.
Anywhoo, I realize you board building veterans probably wouldn’t want to start with new fin system, but if you were starting over from scratch and only going to build a couple boards a year for yourself, would you go with Probox?
Another question, has anyone priced out the cost difference for the boxes ONLY using Probox verses FCS verses Futures?
Personally I would go with probox: but there are lots of factors. First your experience level: the way you phrase your question makes it sound like you are just starting out. If that is the case and you don’t have a ton of confidence in your fin placements (or just want to learn more about how to make fins work in different ways with different planshapes) then Probox gives you some flexibility, with the extra fore/aft adjustment as well as the ability to change the cants. So you can play with an extra level of adjustment in your board that will teach you a lot about placement and drive home exactly how important an 1/8" fin spread in a quad can be, or 2 degrees. It really is crazy how much difference those changes make. And it’s fun! That’s the major bonus for probox: also the install is easy and the install kit is cheap.
FCS biggest bonus is you can find fins and get repairs done (or materials for them) anywhere in the world where there is surf. Futures are closing this gap but for years it’s been impossible to beat FCS for world-wide coverage. That said, I will never install the round FCS plugs in a board again after having far too many issues with them. If you DO use them, be sure to install them properly, with the resin ‘posts’ right through to the underside of the deck. Fusion seem to be much better than the standard FCS plugs… And you get a bit of fore/aft adjustment.
Futures are one of the cleanest looking, and stronger than FCS (in my limited experience with them) but I believe the install kit is significantly more expensive than Probox. I’ve never installed them, only surfed boards with them in there already though. So I can’t speak to the installation pros/cons. Adjustment is out with Futures…
To me Probox wins hands down. But everyone has their own preference!
Also not on your list but possibly worth considering is Robin Mair’s new Gearbox system. I haven’t tried it yet but have looked at the material and they look like a very strong, clean-looking system that gives fore/aft adjustment (although cant is built into the boxes so you have to pick your cant at install). He’s sometimes around on here and is reachable through his websites… He has been extremely helpful to me in the past and would probably offer your plenty of support etc. These are obviously the lowest-profile system on this list, as they are brand-spanking-new. Maybe others have tried them already and you could check 'em out. Robin also is working on producing a new type of molded fin that you might be interested in, as they are very nicely designed and may cheaper than FCS molded fins (though don’t quote me: I’m just always horrified at how expensive simple molded fins seem to be from FCS and Futures around my stomping grounds).
Anyway… that is probably way more than you were looking for and it’s a bit of a long post. Others will chime in, I’m sure, with lots of opinions. Everyone has a favourite fin system as well as one they love to hate, and like I said there are legitimate pros and cons to all of them.
Have fun picking one out and choosing fins for it! Try some fun ones out…
Since you are concerned about price glass on would be the best way to go. Think of all the money you will save on the fins you will be putting in your probox in hopes of making your board go better. I would also consider finding a local shaper or backyader who has jigs you can rent or borrow and use that system they have the jig for. Bottom line- glass ons less the $40, any of the ones you mention to include tools,jigs, boxes and store bought fin set -$300 if you are lucky.
Thanks bb30 and Bckyle for the suggestion to do glass on fins. Hey, I’m a cheap bastard and would love to save money but I know how radically different a board rides with different fins so I’m going to have to put out the extra bucks and hassles and do boxes. I’ve got FCS and Futures fins already and I can make my own fins too.
The bottom design on this board has a lot going on so being able to change the cant with Probox inserts could be a big advantage for me.
Great suggestion about borrowing a jig bb30. I will look into that, but if I go with Probox, then I think their jig is the cheapest of all of them at only $30. If I recall correctly, I think the cost of the FCS jig was one of the biggest downsides to going with the FCS Fusion boxes.
QUESTION:
If you’re starting out new, is there any downside to using Probox? Anyone know if Probox weighs more than FCS Fusion or Futures?
Can’t go wrong with any of them if you have the proper tools and instruction. Probox sounds like your best bet since you have the assorted fin collection. I like futures because they are designed for preglass installation. You can do the same with the other systems also with forethought and determination. post pics.
Some people don’t like probox cuz of the weight. Also the jig leaves a large margin for resin around the plugs. I put tape on my router collar to make the margin a little narrower. I use probox and like it, have done fcs in the past when they were separate plugs for each tab. Have also done the ones set in a foam plug.
I’ve been using Futures for years but one thing I don’t like is the side by side slop due to the fins being screwed in front instead of the side. The older FCS plugs had a lot of slop in the base too. What I mean is that you can grab the fin and you’ll see the base of the fin actually move from side to side as it sits in the box.
More questions please…
Probox says their fins fit super snug with little to no base slop. Is that true?
How tightly do the base of the fins fit in FCS Fusions?
Can you modify Futures fins to fit in FCS Fusion boxes? And can you modify FCS fins to fit in Futures boxes?
If you buy a set of fins from Robin Mair, they will be very snug in the box. I haven’t bought fins from Larry, so I don’t know about those. The probox fin bases are different from FCS they have a single long section, not 2 tabs, but the boxes will work fine with standard FCS fins.
If you have Futures fins now, I’d be thinking about making good use of those and I don’t know if Probox has inserts for Futures. Proboxes are easy to install, and the jigs are inexpensive.
I don’t use Futures, but have helped install them as well as FCS Fusion boxes. They go under the lam so they do have a bit more strength.
What I like about Probox is the ability to change the cant and move the fins fore and aft a bit. If you want to change the way your board rides, this will do a lot. The newer gearbox system doesn’t have the cant adjustments, but it goes under the lamination.
Another thing about Probox is their selection of fins is unique.
brian did an instructional video on how to convert futures to fit into probox boxes
pretty straight forward
fusions seem to allow for more flex in the tail than probox and futures
there’s also lokbox which has a micro box now and can take fcs fins with an adapter
you have to remember that future and fcs fins are built different because the cant angle is built into the future fin but built into the FCS or probox fin box.
for complex bottoms liek cahnnels and stuff I’d go with FCS plugs
The Gearbox promo for a quad system including jigs for $60 is a good deal. Do you know if they are available in the US yet and is there any compatibility with other fins?
Is this the video you mentioned about converting Futures to fit Probox with the kit by Greenlight? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB-oGpQSSLs If that isn’t it, can you please tell me where I can find that video?
probox, installlation and install kit is cheap, installation and alignment is very simple. adjustments are awesome, strength is good. It’s easy to cast home made fins for a perfect fit into the inserts but weight is almost a pound when 4 fin boxes are installed. As such I won’t be using them in future builds.
I’ll try futures next time around…based on Barry’s recommendations in this post.